Posted on December 26, 2024
Christmas day has passed and now people are left with piles of gift wrapping paper, bows, boxes, and ribbons. Not all of it, however, can be recycled.
Here is what you can and can’t recycle this Christmas:
For the [garbage] bin:
- Any wrapping paper or gift bag that glitters, shimmers, or shines can’t be recycled
- Tissue paper can’t be recycled
- Bows and ribbon can’t be recycled
For the recycling bin:
- Any plain wrapping paper and gift bags can be recycled
- Gift boxes can be recycled
- Plain envelopes and cards can be recycled
Emily Grier, a community relations coordinator with Metro Waste Authority, said that it’s important for people to correctly sort their Christmas recycling to make it easier for the workers sorting at Metro Waste Authority’s recycling facility.
“It wouldn’t ruin the whole entire can of recycling, but there are people on the other end sorting this stuff at the facility. And so, what you do put in your cart does matter. People are sorting it on the other end and you don’t want to have people sorting through garbage or things that don’t belong there. They really want to keep an eye on things that do belong in making sure that they end up where they should,” Grier said.
To learn more about what can and can’t be recycled this holiday season, visit Metro Waste Authority’s website.